Art Nouveau

 Art Nouveau 

    The Art Nouveau period lasted from 1890 to 1910. Art Nouveau was not based on traditional or historical design but instead inspired by nature. This period also embraced the technology and manufacturing process. The true meaning of Art Nouveau is new art this came along when Europe was in a period of peace and prosperity. This growth supported new and experimental directions in design. Since this design is based in nature in their design: flowers, birds, vines and insects were used as inspiration. Artist and designers shared an admiration for Japanese art, they were inspired by classic paintings. Art by Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Gauguin, and Aubrey Beardsley.

    Aubrey Beardsley was a British artist that mostly did illustration art. Bearsley majorly influenced the Art Nouveau movement. He was one of the most controversial artists of this period he used black and white on white paper and mostly took from Japanese artwork. 

    Art Nouveau has a Britain point of origin and Belgium and France were the leaders of the movement. The European Architects associated with Art Nouveau were all accomplished furniture designers.  This movement was a rejection of the Victorian style and was an imitation of historical style. All decorative ornamentation were based on natural forms and had a large used of modern materials such as iron and glass. The curvilinear forms were dominate they took elements from nature and the abstract forms were derived from these sources. 

    Victor Horta was a Belgian architect, designer, and teacher he was one of the most influential designers of this period. He would often use unique iron railings and hardware. Stenciled walls and ceilings and mosaic tile patterns on the floors, ceilings, and walls. All his elements of design were cohesive, he also introduced the curtain wall, a structure of metal and glass. The Horta House had an asymmetrical facade, and a twisted iron balcony. Lots of the house was curvilinear and had lots of details from nature. 

    Henry Van de Velde was a significant practitioner who began as a painter. He examined the relationship between aesthetics and morality by observing nature. His furniture design was very sculptural and ergonomic. He designed his own home in 1894 and this included furniture, table silver and kitchen cookware. All was designed in his curved style. Hector Guimard was also a significant architect and designer in Paris. 

ONE STEP FURTHER 

Antoni Gaidi was a Spanish Catalan architect; he used flowing curves and unusual decorative details to create structures. These were based on nature,

he mostly used glass, masonry, glazed ceramic tile, and iron.